Cross-Linked Thermoplastic Elastomer Composition for Low Fogging Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermoplastic elastomer compositions do not adequately address fogging resistance and flexibility, particularly when using biomass-derived softeners, and fail to reduce environmental impact effectively.
Innovation Solution
A thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising ethylene·α-olefin nonconjugated polyene copolymer, polypropylene-based resin, and a biomass-derived softener with specific blending ratios and properties, including a paraffinic carbon content of 80% to 100%, naphthenic carbon content of 20% or less, and aromatic carbon content of 5% or less, along with cross-linking, to enhance fogging resistance and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a biomass-derived softener is used in thermoplastic elastomer composition, then environmental load is reduced, but fogging resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the softener by specifying that it must be derived from biomass sources with specific molecular weight ranges (900-5000) and chemical structure characteristics. This parameter optimization allows the softener to maintain low fogging properties while being environmentally friendly.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite softener system by combining biomass-derived components with specific molecular weight distributions and chemical structures. This composite approach enables the softener to simultaneously achieve environmental compatibility and functional performance in terms of fogging resistance.
2Ease of operation
If softener content is increased to improve flexibility, then flexibility is improved, but fogging resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the softener's molecular weight parameter within a specific range (900-5000) to achieve the right balance between flexibility and fogging resistance. This parameter control ensures that the softener provides adequate flexibility without excessive fogging.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by specifying particular chemical structure characteristics and molecular weight distributions for the softener molecules themselves, rather than simply controlling the overall concentration. This molecular-level quality control enables flexibility enhancement while minimizing fogging.
3Ease of operation
If conventional softeners are used to achieve good flexibility, then flexibility is improved, but environmental load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces conventional petroleum-based softeners with biomass-derived alternatives that are renewable and environmentally friendly. This substitution maintains the necessary flexibility function while eliminating the environmental burden of fossil fuel-based materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the source material parameter from fossil fuels to biomass, while optimizing the molecular weight and chemical structure parameters of the resulting softener to ensure it meets the flexibility requirements of thermoplastic elastomers.
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a thermoplastic elastomer composition and a molded body which have excellent fogging resistance (low haze) and flexibility and can further reduce the environmental load when a biomass-derived softener is used. The thermoplastic elastomer composition contains (A) 100 parts by mass of an ethylene·α-olefin nonconjugated polyene copolymer; (B) 10 to 200 parts by mass of a polypropylene-based resin; and (C) 10 to 200 parts by mass of a softener having a paraffinic carbon atom content (% Cp) of 80% or more and 100% or less, as measured according to ASTM D3238-85 or ASTM D2140, and at least a portion of the composition is cross-linked.